Sorry for the long delay, some personal stuff and a fellowship and working two jobs have contributed little free time. I even had to miss Comic Con this year, and am attending a major conference next week. I am also hoping to also finish an original comic which I look forward to working in on. In other words, I have bitten off more than I can chew and this was eeked out between cravings for sleep. But i have a lot of it pre-written and I should return to a more regular schedule now that I return to school.

The next few chapters will hopefully make up for it, I have some great stuff in the works. Special thanks to Rua for making this chapter actually worth reading and Eboni, for making my day with her excellent review. To answer your question, yes, Lu Ten will start questioning his beliefs a bit, but it's a painful process and it will take time. Lu Ten has a lot of hatred to overcome and knowing he's property isn't helping much. He isn't socialized well to deal with people on a equal basis and that's the only way he'll ever be accepted by the crew.

So in this chapter, a secret gets revealed. And yes, it's one of the ones Lu Ten fears most.

And I've lost who I am
And I can't understand
Why my heart is so broken
Rejecting your love
Without love gone wrong
But i know all i know is that the ends beginning

Who I am from the start
Take me home to my heart
Let me go and I will run
I will not be silenced ! –Trading Yesterday

Shattered

Lu Ten lay on his back, still trying to calm his breathing. How could he have been so stupid? He had almost lost his cousin because of losing his temper. His grandfather would have flogged him for it and Lu Ten would have deserved all the pain. He was a terrible leader, he had to learn discipline. He had to learn to keep his head or he would surely lose it. Yes, the great future Lord who was too stupid to even see a basic trap. He had let Zuko wander around the deck on his own. How was he supposed to be master of the world when he couldn't even handle a simple task and keep a five year old safe? Grandfather was right; he was a stupid boy who deserved to be punished. He was worthless and he was only bringing his family shame. Had a servant failed as he had…he would have sent him to the gallows. As he wallowed in his grief, he felt a thud hit his stomach. "Lulu, you're all right," Zuko squealed happily. "I thought you were sick."

"Yeah, I'm fine," Lu Ten groaned, pushing him off. "Don't jump on me like that, it's annoying. And my name is Shaya, remember?" He was being harsh on his cousin. The rebuke was well deserved, but Zuko was only a child and couldn't know better. "You okay?"

"That mean guy scared me," Zuko murmured, cuddling up to him. "But you were so brave and you saved the day." Zuko was a master of rewriting history to suit his own version of events and Lu Ten didn't have the heart to correct him. "You will keep me safe. I knew you would come for me and save me from him and from the net. I knew you wouldn't let me fall."

Lu Ten closed his eyes. Zuko trusted him and needed him to be a great leader. For his cousin, he had to be that person. He had to be like his father and grandfather and Sozin before him, and show no fear. "I won't ever let you fall," he swore. He had managed to be lucky so far, but how long before something slipped? He was in enemy territory and prisoners of savages who would kill them. He had to keep his head. "I swear I will take you home." Lu Ten felt Zuko's tiny fingers thread through his and the physical contact calmed him. Was this what being Fire Lord was like? Having other lives in your hands, all relying on you?

"I know you will. Are you going to challenge Shinta to an Agni Kai?" Zuko asked, before squealing with pain as Lu Ten squeezed his hand. "What did you do that for?" he demanded angrily. How stupid could he be?

"I told you, no discussion of anything like that. You don't want them to know who we are. We are humble servants, until the moment I find a way to escape with you and we return home and everyone calls us heroes," Lu Ten said impatiently. "So hush yourself before I do it for you." Still, they were alone together and not overboard. "Try and behave yourself. Remember who you are." In fact, was Zuko forgetting himself? He had been eating a bit more roughly and his manners had become quite coarse. Was he forgetting he was a young prince of an empire, the son of the most cultured and honorable family in the world. "I think we're alone, we must perform the Fire oath. Every night before we sleep," Lu Ten directed.

"I'm too tired to do the oath." Zuko complained. "We'll do it when we go home." He yawned and snuggled into his furs. "Why can't we just pretend we're savages and sleep and pick our noses?" he asked. "It's a lot more fun." How would he ever bring him back if he acted like this?

"Do I need to remove you from your bed myself?" Lu Ten demanded angrily. He had just given an entire speech on obedience and his cousin was ignoring him. He was reluctant to admit he did spoil Zuko. He gave him free reign and agreed to nearly any request. Did this make him a weak leader? Grandfather melted to no one, he was powerful and mighty and no one even breathed wrong in his presence. He should be harder on the boy, but Zuko had the irritating habit of being so adorable! He sighed and forced himself to try again. "Grandfather would expect it of us. We do want him to be proud of us. Come on, kneel down in the direction of the Rising Sun."

"Lulu," Zuko protested. "I'm tired." He pulled his furs up closer to his nose. "Can't we do it later?" Yes, his manners were growing more savage, the cultured and obedient prince Zuko would never behave this way.

All right, enough. Lu Ten would be indulgent to a point but this was getting intolerable. He would not return to the country with a savage instead of a proper young gentleman of royal blood. "Prince Zuko, I have just given you an order. I do not think I should have to repeat myself," Lu Ten hissed, glaring at him after looking around to make sure they weren't overhead.

Zuko nodded and got out of his beds, still looking surly. "If you weren't the crown prince, I wouldn't be listening to you," he sniffed, looking put off. He had a disobedient streak, obviously nurtured by such close proximity to savages.

"And if you weren't my cousin, you'd be executed for saying that to me," Lu Ten reminded, trying to sound stern but failing to do so. The sad look on Zuko's face made him soften his words. "You know you're the only person allowed to speak to me like this. I am nice to you; you make me sound like I'm Grandfather."

"No, you're a lot more fun. But if I ever become crown prince over you, I am going to order you around and see how you like it," Zuko sniffed, quite aggravated. "I'll make you bow in front of me and juggle apples to make me laugh."

Lu Ten laughed and ruffled his cousin's hair. "You'll never be crown prince, Zuzu. That would mean I would be dead and you wouldn't want that," he said softly. Zuko said the strangest things. It was wonderful that Zuko loved him so; Lu Ten was standing in between him and the throne and Zuko seemed completely unaware. When he got older, would Zuko hate him?

"You aren't allowed to die!" Zuko said clutching his hand. "I would miss you too much. You gave me your promise we'd be together. I don't want to be crown prince if I had to lose you!" His eyes filled with tears at the thought of being separated. Zuko was such a weak baby, but he was a good friend. "You're the best friend in the world."

It was a touching display of affection, comforting after all the stress of the day. "Exactly. I aim to keep that promise and that means I get to be Fire Lord. So I don't think you'll be ordering me around," Lu Ten said, with a grin. "Though you'll always have my ear, I'm in charge." Zuko didn't know how lucky he was not to have responsibilities such as running the entire world someday. He would be free to be a kid and enjoy life. When they returned, Zuko would be back to being a spoiled and pampered carefree child, given the empire on a platter.

Zuko sighed and hugged him. "Yeah, you'd make a great Fire Lord. You love telling people what to do," he said softly, his big golden eyes boring into Lu Ten's own. "And you're still the best."

"So are you," Lu Ten said. "Now, let's kneel down and get this over with. I want us to behave like real princes." He fell to his knees and folded his hands. "Come on, let's do this and make Grandfather proud of us. We'll tell him how we never forgot who we are in captivity." Zuko obeyed instantly, like the good prince of the Fire Nation.

"My life, I give to my country. With my hands, I fight for Fire Lord Azulon and our forefathers before him. With my mind, I seek ways to better my country, and with my feet, I seek the path to his victory. With my ears, I obey his commands and with my mouth, I praise his name. May I merit the honor to serve him in any way I can, to be completely obedient to his will, and to glorify his name," they chanted, bowing to the floor in a perfect kowtow. "Lord Azulon, Agni Incarnate, Master all of the Sun Touches, guide us in your wisdom, strengthen us in your will and bring us to glory. I pledge my life in your service and my heart to your cause. I vow to conquer in your name and bring culture to the world, and the worship of Agni to all who live in ignorance and squalor. As the light touches all things, as the fire is life, let me be a spark in thy service. May I be worthy," they finished, bowing to the floor one more time.

"As princes, we perform our Oath on our knees, to remind ourselves that our service must be superior, our devotion deeper and our obedience more perfect because we are raised high in his service," Lu Ten reminded in a low voice. "We may be royalty, but we are only servants to the Fire Lord."

"No wonder you like the oath so much. You just can't wait for everyone to perform this for you. So, one day I am going to be your servant," Zuko whispered, sounding quite put off. "I thought I would be your daimyo. You did promise I would be second only to you. I don't want to be a servant."

"All of us serve the Fire Lord, Zuzu. I am his servant as well right now. We are all the most loyal and obedient slaves of Grandfather. We would die for the Fire Lord," Lu Ten explained in a firm tone. And someday, they would all die for him. He would have the ability to command anyone to observe his every whim. No matter how humiliated he was now, he would someday be the greatest of the great.

"And someday, will I have to die for you?" Zuko asked, rising off his knees and putting his hand on Lu Ten's shoulder. "I want to be a good prince. I will do anything for you."

"Of course not. You're going to be safe in the palace, protected and kept safe from harm. I can't let anything happen to you. And you'll always be the most important person in the world, my best cousin, my best…brother," Lu Ten said softly. He had friends at the Academy, highborn sons who he considered his most loyal supporters but no one could be trusted too easily. All of them would have been friends with him even if he had been a talentless half-wit, they all wanted to curry favor with the future Fire Lord. But Zuko, Zuko loved him like a cousin, loved him with all his heart. He was a brother in spirit, the most loyal and good of anyone he did. He was the only one Lu Ten could trust. "You're more than my servant. You know that. I made that promise to you on the boat, you'll always be my second in command." He had almost died to protect him and he would do it again. "When I'm Fire Lord, you will sit at my right hand and everyone else will be below you. And in private, I will still be Lulu. Of course, in public, I am "your majesty" but I am sure you'll understand." And when he was Fire Lord, he would keep Zuko off the battlefield. It was selfish and shameful, but Zuko would make an excellent governor of the peaceful Ember Island.

Zuko smiled and hugged him. "I love you, Lulu," he said, being shamefully weak for a stoic prince of the Fire Nation. "We're going to go home soon." The faith of an innocent child, thought an older cousin could do miracles.

"Yes, we are. Father and Uncle and Grandfather are searching for us," Lu Ten lied. "Soon they are going to find us and welcome us home. There will be a big victory parade and the crowds will cheer and throw flowers at us and we will wave to them. And we'll be sitting under the tree with Auntie and feed the turtleducks and we'll think and laugh about this adventure." His family thought they were dead; no one would be searching for them. They were completely on their own and unless Lu Ten had a plan, they would remain abandoned.

He cradled Zuko until his little cousin was sleeping peacefully. He envied his carefree little cousin, able to trust in another's power to fix everything. To Zuko, this was one exciting adventure. To Lu Ten, this was life or death.

Today had been horribly trying. He only wished he knew how to proceed. He had to know more about what was happening on the ship. Untangling himself from Zuko, he tucked the boy in neatly before making his way to the door. He had be careful- slaves caught spying had their ears cut off- but he had to know what was being discussed. Happily, it was dark and he was able to creep around the ship noiselessly as his senseis taught, with his usual nimble nature. The crow's nest was an excellent hiding spot, dark and well shadowed. Hakoda had his back towards him, but he was studying a parchment by candlelight. Noiselessly, he hid near the barrels and waited to hear if all was well.

Lu Ten hunkered down, as he saw a dark shadow walk up the stairs. Bato! "All is well, I'm done with my shift. Going to wake up Kesuk," Bato said softly. "Pity, Shinta was supposed to watch tonight." As a child, Shinta would likely be banned from serving duty. Served the bastard right, he was lucky to be alive.

"How is Shinta doing?" Hakoda asked, without turning around. "Haven't seen him above deck all day. Is he still miserable? Does he want to talk to me?" Why did they care? Shinta had nearly killed Zuko, who cared what he thought? Personally, Lu Ten would have preferred him strung up by the neck and used as a flag, but that idea had been ignored by Hakoda who reminded him that killing was wrong. No wonder these savages were butchered out by the Fire nation, they were weak!

Stil, it was strange that Shinta was punished it all. In the Fire nation, everyone would care about what Shinta thought, since slaves were at the mercy of their masters. Shinta should be able to treat his property as pleased. Thank Agni they were so weak, in the Fire Nation, this would not go well for him.

"We stripped him of his place in the tribe, he can barely get out of bed without being broken up," Bato said sadly. "Poor kid is just so destroyed. He's a gentle kid, he must have really snapped. He kept seeing Rua in front of him." Bato's voice went low. "I can't help but understand. Those golden eyes…they are frightening." He was right to be frightened of what Lu Ten would someday do to him.

"They're children who were sold into slavery and need our help," Hakoda said solemnly, finally turning around and looking very scary indeed. "They can't help who they are, or who they were born to. They need love; they're frightened and vulnerable. They could be our children and we know how the Fire nation would treat them." The Fire Nation would bow before Lu Ten and call him master, unlike these stupid savages who treated him as a slave. "The older one was roughed badly and he's on edge. I'm afraid to press him too hard. He's just so young."

"I'm not talking press; I just want to figure out who are those children? They're firebenders, that much we know. No one could be that warm naturally. But why all the secrecy?" Bato asked. "I swear on the moon, I won't tell the rest of the crew, but I must know who they are. My son has suffered for them, you owe me the truth." This was not good. Lu Ten could feel his heart beating faster. They were catching on and it was beginning to scare him.

Hakoda sighed. "They're nobility of the Fire Nation, and they're afraid if the crew knew, they would be killed. They might be right, if they're valuable, I know some of the crew would happily sell him for profit. Spirits know we could use the money." Earth kingdom...someday, he would make them all suffer. They would be in chains before him and beg for mercy and he would tell them of their crimes- of shamefully abusing their lord and master. Then he would have them sent to the Boiling Rock, or flogged or feed to the eel hounds. Someday, no one would ever punish him, but they would fall before him. He would be Fire Lord Lu Ten, master of all that the sun saw. He would make them pay dearly and they would have no one to blame but themselves. They had no idea what kind of enemy they had earned for themselves. "I couldn't blame them, but I won't let it happen."

"He's young, but he's not innocent. I see death in his eyes," Bato mumbled. "Shinta sees it too, that little boy has seen a lot more than a normal child should. I think…I think he is waiting to kill us." No, but he wanted to kill them. He had to protect Zuko and that meant getting rid of any obstacles in his path. They were not bad people, but they were his enemies. He had to be a man and end them. If only he had some poisons. "You saw his martial arts display? He can carry out his threat any time he wants. Hanzo's too young to be anything worrisome, but his brother frightens me."

"He is becoming more docile, I can see it. It's just like taming a tiger seal, you need to make him feel safe and secure and don't mind the bites," Hakoda said with a warm laugh. "I doubt he'll kill us, not with his brother on board. He can't risk it, he needs us. He just needs to settle down a bit, and then he'll open up to us. He is a wonderful young man, brave and strong. I hope Sokka grows up like him." Lu Ten had no idea what to respond to such a display. Hakoda cared about him? He wanted to help him, a Fire Nation noble? It didn't make sense, he knew he was Fire nation and still wanted to be kind to him. He understood hate, he understood duty, but he had no idea how to respond to an outsider who cared about him.

"Your affection for him aside, he is a predator and he isn't going to settle down that easily, you know. That deadly look in his eyes makes me scared. We need to sleep every once in a while and you don't even have him restrained so he can't slit our throats. Maybe we should find them another home. They're good kids for the most part; we could find them a family who could deal with them. I'm sure there are families who would be kind to them, offer them the stability they need to thrive."

"The death in his eyes is what has been done to him. His shoulders have welts on them that he won't even talk about. He might have been a spoiled child at home, but someone was hurting him there. I swore I would protect him myself and that means not foisting the burden onto someone else. He needs stability, he's gone through terrible things, his family killed, tortured by the Earth Kingdom and then sold into slavery. Besides, you think another family can handle him? It's not like you to palm off a burden, Bato. You mean giving them to Earth Kingdom, don't you?" Hakoda said, as Lu Ten bit his lip to avoid his gasp. No, this could not be happening. He'd throw Zuko overboard himself before he allowed his cousin to return to those monsters.

"If they are high ranking nobility, they can be ransomed. Think of it, Hakoda. I'll bet they would be worth their weight in gold. Think of the food we could bring back to the tribe- enough for ten winters. They won't hurt them. The boys are only children, perfect for ransom. It's the best thing for everyone," Bato said. "They'll be home with their families and we'll be well taken care of." Lu Ten's lip trembled as he imagined his future. A return to the chains and the pressing and the noose and the darkness, he couldn't even breathe without feeling the pain in every joint of his body. Tears streamed down his face, as he realized he was not going to be able to protect his little cousin.

"That will never happen. Not while I remain chief. I will not engage in human trafficking. I'll be clear. I would rather starve," Hakoda said firmly. "I swore an oath to help those boys. I watched them get sold like fruit at the market, with Hanzo nearly drowned for being small and helpless. They were hungry, humiliated and beaten down. I said that they would have no need to fear again and I will keep that promise. This isn't like you, my friend. What's really troubling you?"

"Shinta isn't stupid. Hot tempered and short sighted, but he's a smart boy. I am wondering if he's right that they are threats to us. Shaya is a trained warrior who walks around looking like he's plotting how best to sink the ship. Hakoda, you need to at least get them to tell you who they are," Bato asked. "That is all I am asking."

"That's something they will tell us when they feel comfortable. They've been destroyed enough," Hakoda said firmly. "Bato, they're orphans. They need us. What would Rua do if she found them, starving and in chains and about to die?" he demanded. Rua must have been Bato's wife. Lu Ten had never seen a female savage-were they are burly and ugly as the men?

"She'd clonk the slaver with my club and take them home," Bato said sadly. "I suppose you're right. I just hate seeing Shinta hurt, especially for strangers. He's all I have now." Lu Ten felt no pity. If a prince couldn't have a mother, neither should savages.

"Shinta's a fine boy, one of our finest, but a good lesson in keeping his temper in check was a long time coming. He'll redeem himself soon and be the better for the lesson. You saw how he disregarded orders, didn't you?" Hakoda explained, far too patient for a captain that was being question. In the Fire nation, civilized commanders would have had such disobedience flogged out of fashion. "We can't let that slide."

"No, you're right. We had to teach the boy his place and I know you were harsh only to teach him. I don't have to enjoy you being right all the time, do I?" Bato said sadly, as Lu Ten felt the noose grow tighter around his neck. He had to get his cousin and himself off the boat.

"Well, get used to it. I'm always right. And in the spirit of compromise I suppose I can talk to Shaya and see if he's willing to start talking more rather than flinging insults," Hakoda said softly. "I think it's time I sit him down and explain to him that he owes his loyalty and obedience to me, so he had best start talking. All right?" he asked. Lu Ten had already begun padding away back to his room. He had no choice, but to run. They were only a few miles from shore, Lu Ten could jump in and get to shore in a few hours and then find a Fire nation base. He couldn't let himself fall into enemy hands, especially the Earth kingdom. It was flight or fight and Lu Ten couldn't win against an entire army by himself.

The only problem was he wouldn't be able to talk Zuko with him. Tears kept streaming down his cheeks. He only wished his Grandfather was here to break Zuko's heart for him. He would have to do it himself.

There wasn't much time to take much. Little would survive the trip through the water anyway. "Wake up! " Lu Ten shook a sleeping Zuko. "We must talk, Prince Zuko," he said formally. It was the only logical plan, and it was the best choice. There was no point in delaying the inevitable. It would only hurt more the longer he waited.

Zuko opened his eyes and looked up worriedly. "Are you angry at me, cousin?" he asked softly, his bright eyes boring into him. Lu Ten tried to look away from his cousin's gaze. This seemed so painful for being the right thing to do. Was it possible to take him along?

No, he couldn't risk Zuko's life in swimming to shore. He couldn't carry him so far. "Not at all. I have merely come to the best possible conclusion for the current situation. You agree that staying here in slavery is intolerable. We are poorly treated and harassed, and it insults the name of Agni for his children to serve such loathsome, vile creatures," Lu Ten answered. He had been trained in rhetoric. This should be easy. He was supposed to be able to lead properly; he had to know the right choice to make.

"Yes," Zuko chirped, completely obedient and not paying attention at all. Lu Ten didn't blame him, he didn't even know what he was saying, and was supposed to be in charge of Zuko. He just knew he had to make sure they didn't end up as Earth Kingdom prisoners.

"As princes, we must return to our people. It is our duty and we must do anything possible in order to serve such duty," Lu Ten babbled, trying to sound stern and regal. "Therefore, I have decided what we shall do. Tomorrow night, I will jump overboard and swim to shore. There, I will find the Fire Nation guards and alert them to our fate." His hands clenched into fists till his nails dung into his flesh. He was doing the right thing. He had to be strong.

"We are going to escape?" Zuko asked, brightly. He smiled and put out his arms, eager for adventure. "Tell me what I must do!" He was so eager to be helpful to his big cousin. But he wasn't strong enough to swim to shore and Lu Ten couldn't carry him. This didn't seem fair.

Lu Ten steeled himself and ignored the bile rising in his throat. "I…will escape," he said simply. "You will remain here." In captivity. He was leaving his defenseless cousin in the hands of savages, alone and unprotected. He was beneath contempt.

"Until you come back for me," Zuko said faithfully. "It would only be a few minutes." He couldn't believe Lu Ten would leave him. Zuko had perfect trust in him and Lu Ten was going to have to break it. 'What signal will you use to alert me to come?"

Perhaps he should lie to him. Tell him he would be right back and then spare the awful goodbye. No…Zuko was stubbornly loyal and would pine away, it would take away all of the boy's hope. "I don't know when you would be rescued. You would have to be brave for me." Lu Ten studied his feet thoroughly.

"You're leaving me here?" Zuko whispered, his lips trembling as the awful truth hit him horribly. He was going to be left behind and remain alone. Lu Ten looked away and tried to ignore the tears he knew were forming in his own eyes. "Why?" Because it was the right thing to do and didn't Zuko know this was killing him too? Did he think this was easy?

Lu Ten blinked rapidly. "Don't question me. It is my verdict as Crown Prince of the Nation that you stay here," he said harshly. Obedience was the proper way to take it. "Do you understand me?" he snapped angrily, wishing he didn't have to hurt his cousin so much. If only there was a better way to do this.

Zuko tried to nod dutifully but his body was shuddering with sobs. "I.." he tried to say, before collapsing to his knees in tears. "I understand," he wept, completely in hysterics. 'I will obey." His shoulder shuddered as he continued to sob forlornly.

Lu Ten swept him into his arms, holding him close. "Shush," he soothed, tears running down his own tears. "I know you're scared. I would be scared too. But I have to get help and if I stay with you, I won't be able to get that help. And I can't carry you to shore, it's too far away. You could drown," he explained, wondering why he was justifying his choice. "And I must protect you. Even if it means leaving you behind."

Zuko burrowed into his chest. "Don't leave me," he wept. "I almost lost you, please. I don't mind being here if it's with you. You promised we'd always stay together," he pleaded. "I won't misbehave, I'll be good. I'm sorry I've been so bad, I didn't mean it. Please, have mercy and stay!"

Lu Ten rubbed his back. "This isn't a punishment, Zu. I will come back for you, I promise. I'll come back with the whole army and I'll free you. I swear it on my honor, on my father's life," he said softly, wondering if he could think of a better plan. He hated hearing his cousin cry. He hated making his cousin cry. Why did he have to be the one to make such horrible choices?

"What if something happens to you?" Zuko wept. "The Earth kingdom could find you and they would hurt you. Please stay here where it is safe. I would die if anything happened to you."

Lu Ten smiled through his tears. "I will be fine. Agni will protect me," he said tenderly. "Nothing will happen to me. I don't plan to be dying for a very long time. We're going to be together soon."

Zuko would not stop weeping. "I'm frightened," he pleaded. "I don't want to be alone. I need you to help me. Who will keep me safe?"

Lu Ten nodded, his voice trembling. "You are never alone, Zu. I am always in your heart and you are in mine. You are my best friend, the most important person to me. Whenever you're scared, close your eyes and think of me," he soothed. "They won't hurt you."

Zuko was still holding onto him. "I need you," he whispered. "You're the leader. I need to follow you," he pleaded. "Where you go, I will follow."

Lu Ten sighed. "Shush. I have decided," he said, his heart broken. Zuko just sobbed harder, completely desolate in his feeling."Let's just sit together for a bit and think how wonderful it will be when we are home in the palace." Zuko would not stop crying. Lu Ten should strike him for being so weak. But as he blinked back tears of his own, he resolved to say nothing on the matter. "It will be all right, Zu. Don't you trust me?" he asked, as Zuko curled into the crook of his arm.

"I do, but I don't trust the world," Zuko sniffled. "Please come back soon. What if you don't find me? What if Hakoda takes me far away and I never see you again?" he asked.

Lu Ten hadn't considered that. What if Hakoda took Zuko back to the poles where fire was weakest? How would they find him again? "I'll find you. I always will," he lied. This plan was becoming more complicated. Still, it was the right choice. Wasn't one hostage better than two? "I gave you my promise. And I never break a promise. If I do...may I never become Fire Lord."

Zuko clutched him and just sobbed into his shirt. Before Lu Ten could continue, Hakoda entered the room. "What is going on?" he demanded. "And I want Hanzo to answer."

Lu Ten panicked. All Zuko had to do was tell Hakoda the truth and the plans would be done for. He could only imagine the punishment he'd get for trying to run away. Back in civilized lands, slaves were flogged and put in the stocks for trying to run away. He could only imagine the tortures savages would dream up!

"I'm scared," Zuko whispered, telling the truth for once in his life and having it work as a lie. "I want to go home!" Lu Ten's heart broke. Why did this have to be so hard?

"I know you want to go home, kiddo. And I promise, I will find your parents," Hakoda said comfortingly. "But we're your family now."

Lu Ten turned away. "Hakoda is right," he forced himself to say, choking on the words. He would give Zuko a thousand rewards for "He will take good care of us."

Hakoda looked at him strangely. "Are you feeling all right, Shaya?" he asked. "I think you have fever." Yes, the savage was too smart to realize that he would give in so easily.

"Actually, I don't feel well. Could I go to bed early?" Lu Ten said. He would get up soon and prepare some food for the journey, once Zuko was sleeping.

"Of course small one. You have been doing a hard day's work and you deserve a good rest," Hakoda said, hesitantly brushing Lu Ten's hair back. Lu Ten squirmed but allowed the contact. "I'm glad you're getting used to us. I know you want to return to your family, but you are being very brave. Your parents would be proud."

Zuko sighed. "I don't feel well here. Can I stay with my brother and take care of him so he is nice and warm?" he asked, but the agony in his voice was heart breaking.

"Of course," Hakoda said, patting him on the head. "Sleep well. We've laid anchor so we can perform some repairs, so tomorrow I can teach you how to fish. There are some very tasty flounder that live along this shore.'

"I suppose that would be acceptable," Lu Ten said haughtily, trying to act normally. He did like flounder. Pity he would be nowhere near this blasted ship this time tomorrow.

As Hakoda walked out, Lu Ten tried to hide his smile. He was almost free. A docked ship will make for an easier escape. If the ship wasn't moving, it would take time to get it moving and to follow him.

Still, he had to contend with his cousin. "Go to sleep," Lu Ten urged. It was harder to plan how to leave while his cousin was watching him so sadly.

"And when I wake up, you'll be gone and I'll be alone. Why should I want to sleep?" Zuko whimpered, hugging his knees to his chest.

"Because the sooner I leave, the sooner I will come back to you, Zu," Lu Ten said, trying to be cheery. "You have a prince's word of honor. What more could you want?"

"You," Zuko said laconically. Tears dripped down the boy's plump cheeks as he continued to sniffle. He lowered his eyes as he crumbled into a ball of misery, curling up as if he was ill.

Lu Ten sighed, his head aching terribly. "Come on, lie down next to me. I'm not leaving for a bit, and you might as well get some rest," he urged. Zuko snuggled down next to him and threaded his fingers into Lu Ten's hand. He was still so little and helpless. Lu Ten couldn't burden him on the road, he'd never survive the swim to shore. For some reason, he knew that Hakoda wouldn't hurt Zuko. "Should I sing to you?" he asked. Zuko nodded and cuddled close to him. Lu Ten pondered if Zuko would burrow into him if he could. How he wished he could take his cousin with him. Leaving him behind, alone, it was the worst feeling. He was a terrible person to do this to the person who loved him the most.

He had to go now, before he lost his nerve. Already, Zuko's eyes were open and he held onto Lu Ten's hand desperately. Lu Ten placed his finger on Zuko's lips to hush him. He couldn't let him cry out and ruin everything. The quicker the parting went, the easier it would be.

Zuko tearfully nodded and he wrapped his other hand around Lu Ten's body, hugging him so tightly that Lu Ten could feel his ribs groan. Lu Ten returned the hug. He had almost died a few days ago, and he had managed to hold himself together. This would not be a forever goodbye; he would find his cousin again. He would return with a navy to free him. "Be good," he whispered. "I will come back. Just go back to sleep and remember to never tell them who you are. Do you understand?"

Zuko nodded tearfully, his golden eyes boring into Lu Ten's mind. "Yes," he whispered, his voice shaking. "I understand." He sounded as if his heart was broken into pieces.

"That's a good boy. You're being very brave," he whispered, stroking Zuko's hair. "You are a true prince, my little cousin."

"Lulu…I love you," Zuko said, being shamelessly emotional, something not to be encouraged in a stoic young prince. "Please come home safe and don't forget me."

Lu Ten grabbed Zuko and immersed him in another bear hug. "I love you too, Zu. And I am going to come back for you." He would die before leaving his cousin in captivity. He was just doing the right thing and getting help. Repeating those thoughts helped keep him from turning back and staying with his cousin.

They were near enough shore to do it. He wouldn't have a second chance; it was only a mile or so. With one last aching look at his cousin, he opened the door. There was no choice now. He had gone too far to turn back and accept his captivity.

Without looking back, he went to the rail, dove into the water and began to swim to freedom. Salt water dripped down his cheeks…or perhaps tears.

AN-So…will Lu Ten escape and alert the Fire nation to his peril? Will he ever see Zuko again? Tune in next time!